Gabrielle Cahoon’s smile is as bright as her pilates studio.

She’s a ball of energy as she bobs around the room, teaching classes and assisting clients as they learn how to use the equipment.

“I wanted to create a place that people could walk into and feel happy,” said Cahoon. “There’s no pressure to compete, just to improve.”

Cahoon founded Studio 48 Pilates and Fitness in February 2013, and since then, it has grown into a full-blown lifestyle.

“My biggest problem now is that I’m too busy,” Cahoon laughs.

Her schedule is fully booked with both private and group lessons, and this month, she hired her first two employees.

Cahoon attended school at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and graduated with a degree in commercial recreation management. She got her first taste of group fitness as a student when a friend took her to a fitness convention in Charlotte, N.C.

“Everyone was so happy and sweaty,” said Cahoon. “It just felt good, and I wanted to be a part of it!”

After school, Cahoon operated a snowboard shop in North Carolina, and taught group fitness classes on the side. She attended several clinics on pilates and said the atmosphere blew her away. She saw how comfortable the clients were, and decided she wanted to learn more about the exercise technique.

When she moved to Whitefish more than six years ago, she joined the staff at Exhale Pilates. After working for Exhale for five years, she felt it was time to strike out on her own.

Cahoon said she wanted to create a non-competitive environment for her clients where they could feel comfortable to learn at their own pace.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’re wearing make-up, or have messy hair,” said Cahoon. “What matters is that you can become stronger and better than you were when you walked in.”

Cahoon teaches STOTT style Pilates, a contemporary version of the traditional Pilates. However, in addition to simply teaching, she wants to educate her clients on health and wellbeing.

Studio 48 is also a licensing facility, where aspiring instructors can attend classes to become fully certified.

Visit www.studio48pilates.com.